So who’s gonna replace Assad? Who’s the heir apparent, his Veep I guess?, if that’s how they handle it over there.
That's one of their problems. Bashir Assad inherited the job from his father, and it apparently didn't sit all that well. His position is supposedly pretty weak.
If Assad ever does get deposed, or dies, I'd expect a power struggle, followed by a military dictatorship. JMO....
If Basher is, indeed, afflicted by rigor mortis or disassociation of molecules then the rest of the government are busily knifing each other to see who gets to be on top next. That would be one more reason for the silence from Syria. Not only are they Embarrassed but maybe the mouths who make the noise are all dead or trying hard not to be and have no time for wailing.